Ajit Pawar’s death revives guardian minister dilemma in politically sensitive Beed

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The demise of Ajit Pawar has once again pushed Beed district into a state of political uncertainty. Intense deliberations are now underway over who should take charge as its next guardian minister to fill the vacuum left by Pawar, who was widely seen as a stabilising force in the volatile district.

Appointed as Beed's guardian minister in Jan 2025, Pawar served for nearly a year. His tenure was marked by efforts to manage a district long defined by social tensions, political rivalries, and the historical dominance of the Munde family. Beed has remained on edge in recent years, witnessing violence linked to the Maratha reservation agitation and deepening fault lines between Maratha and OBC communities.

The political atmosphere had further deteriorated following the arrest of Valmik Karad — a close aide of NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde — as the alleged mastermind in the kidnapping and murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. In the wake of that case, leaders across party lines, including some within the NCP, had openly cornered Dhananjay Munde, arguing that his influence contributed to local instability.

Against this backdrop, Ajit Pawar's appointment was viewed as a strategic move by the Mahayuti govt to restore administrative control. Senior officials recalled that Pawar gave the revenue and police machinery a clear mandate to function independently, leading to visible improvements in governance.

NCP MLA Vijaysinh Pandit noted that Beed was at a critical juncture when Pawar took the reins. "Beed district was at the heart of communal unrest when the late Ajit Dada Pawar took over. He steered the district toward development and promised a ‘Baramati 2.0' in Beed. His untimely death has orphaned the district," Pandit told TOI.

Pandit added that many now look towards Sunetra Pawar — who has since been sworn in as deputy chief minister—to fulfill the vision for the district. "She worked extensively for the women of Baramati and established the Environmental Forum. I, along with my colleagues, look forward to welcoming her as the guardian minister of Beed," he said.

NCP's fifth-term MLA Prakash Solanke echoed this sentiment, emphasising the need for a leader with a strong administrative grip. "Given Beed's sensitivity, she is the best person to take up the role due to her legacy and exposure," Solanke said.

Before his passing, Ajit Pawar had initiated several key projects, including a Rs1,250-crore expansion of the Swami Ramanand Tirth Hospital. BJP's Akshay Mundada stated that while the final decision rests with the chief minister, the district requires a leader who can maintain the current pace of development.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Suresh Dhas remarked that while Ajit Pawar's leadership is irreplaceable, the district needs a fair and disciplined administrator. "In the current scenario, we want someone who is disciplined and fair enough to address the district's concerns. I am absolutely comfortable if Sunetra Pawar is given charge," Dhas said.

Speculation has also resurfaced regarding BJP minister Pankaja Munde. However, some quarters previously demanded that the guardian ministership remain with a non-Munde family member to avoid reigniting tensions following the Maratha agitation and the Massajog murder case.

With the NCP holding three key assembly seats in the district (Prakash Solanke, Vijaysinh Pandit, and Dhananjay Munde), the political equations remain fluid. Dhananjay Munde and BJP MLA Namita Mundada could not be reached for comment as the district awaits clarity on its future leadership.